Coordinated Design and Control of Engine and Aftertreatment Systems for Reduced Vehicular NOx and CO2 Emissions

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Background

Internal combustion engines have become cleaner and more fuel efficient over the past decade. However, additional stringent standards are being instituted over the next decade that will require further simultaneous reduction of both NOx and CO2. These standards are already being implemented for commercial and passenger vehicles, while off-highway applications are predicted to see tightening standards. Meeting these challenges will require coordinated advancements to both the engine and aftertreatment systems. Today's aftertreatment systems are temperature sensitive for conversion of emissions such as NOx, CO, HC, as well as ammonia storage on SCR catalysts. Therefore, proper management of the engine exhaust temperature and all aspects of temperature control, both entering and exiting the catalysts, need to be optimized to achieve simultaneous reduction in both NOx and CO2. Although diesel engines are predominantly used today, IC engines with various low-carbon and carbon-neutral fuels, as well as different combustion modes, are actively being researched and developed, along with various levels of hybridization. These alternative fuels, combustion modes, and levels of hybridization have different impacts on aftertreatment configuration and operation that must be explored. For example, methane slip in natural gas-fueled engines is a great challenge, as methane is a significantly more potent greenhouse gas than CO2. Similarly, engine shut-off in some hybrids can aggravate the thermal management challenge. Further, as powertrains become more electrified, 48V systems along with other voltages are applicable in the pursuit of reducing overall NOx and CO2 emissions.

Contributions to this Research Topic include manuscripts describing advancements in engine and aftertreatment control and design toward the goal of reduced NOx and CO2 in vehicle applications. Approaches utilizing conventional or advanced combustion modes with conventional or alternative fuels are welcome. Contributions that focus on particularly challenging operating conditions, such as low load operations, are also encouraged. Topics include, but are not limited to:
• Advances in engine technologies that can be coupled with aftertreatment systems for optimal control;
• System approaches for optimizing the engine and aftertreatment system;
• Advancements in exhaust aftertreatments inclusive of catalyst technologies;
• Solutions to challenging operating conditions and drive cycles, such as low load operation;
• Exhaust heating technologies, which may include electric heaters, fuel burners along with other novel technologies;
• Experimental and/or numerical studies of novel system approaches and their impact on efficiency and emissions;
• Effects of hybridization on engine and aftertreatment system control and design.

Keywords: NOx reduction, CO2 reduction, Fuel economy improvement, Exhaust temperature management, Selective catalytic reduction (SCR), Variable valve actuation, Cylinder deactivation, Compression ratio, Electrical heater, Fuel burner, Light off SCR, Dual SCR, 48V systems, EGR pump, High efficiency turbocharger

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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